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Hey Kansas City, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Charlie Parker Month, a Royals deadline trade, and a poetry open mic + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Honoring lasting sacrifice: Families in North Kansas City gathered to honor the Extortion 17 crew, 15 years on, at Call Sign Brewery with music, a commemorative beer and glass, remembering soldier Spencer Duncan -- read the full remembrance.
Deadline deal shakes roster: The Royals made a deadline trade, sending outfielder Lane Thomas and starter Bailey Falter to the Braves, with Atlanta also receiving pitching prospects Carter Holton and Lucas Braun -- read the full trade details.
A month of jazz celebration: Charlie Parker Month kicked off Monday with an opening brunch at The Phoenix. Festivities will continue through August with performances, history tours, and tributes leading to his Aug. 29 birthday -- see the full event lineup.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
KC stories, zero snooze: The Museum of Kansas City explores the city’s past, present, and future with engaging exhibits like Dunbar: Kansas City’s First Black Suburb, plus lively programs that actually make history feel current. Cap it with a throwback sip at Elixir, their in-house soda fountain.
Love your curls again: Whether your waves are shy, your curls are bossy, or your coils need a game plan, Hair Love KC Salon is the local pro squad to book this week. Led by owner and celebrity stylist Tippi Shorter Rank, they do Mizani Air Cut curly cuts, silk presses and thoughtful color that actually respects texture.
Weekend swing fix: Hodge Park Golf Course is that northland favorite where wooded, rolling terrain meets three lakes and a creek, so seven holes actually make you think. A par 70 with plenty of doglegs, plus a solid practice facility, lessons, and leagues... consider this your midweek tune-up or friendly brag-rights battleground this week.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🧵 Needle Nerds @ Pawn and Pint | Wednesday (8/5) at 6:00 PM – Bring that half-finished sweater to Needle Nerds for a cozy night of stitching with friends, tasty bites, and proper pours. Work on sewing, crochet, knitting, or embroidery while Max James Trivia tempts your competitive streak, $7 if you want prizes, otherwise enjoy the company.
🎤 Poetry Open Mic @ Livestock Exchange Building | Wednesday (8/5) at 7:30 PM – Skip the small talk and hit Poetic Underground’s open mic, a no-cover, brave space where names are pulled at random and you get four minutes to test that Notes app poem, say something true. Masks are strongly recommended, and the vibe is supportive and real.
🎶 Elwood and the Blues Masters @ City Market Park | Thursday (8/6) at 6:00 PM – River Market Melodies keeps the first-Thursday groove going with Elwood and The Blues Masters, a free, all-ages show in City Market Park. Grab provisions from River Market merchants, ride the streetcar, and let the blues do what therapy does, only with better solos.
🌿 Lakeside Nature Center Garden Workday @ Lakeside Nature Center | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 AM – Rolling up sleeves at Lakeside Nature Center with the Missouri Master Naturalists, giving the native beds some overdue tough love. Wear long pants, bring gloves, a refillable water bottle, and your snips, loppers, or small shovel, and yes, the bug spray is on the house.
🧺 Farmers Market @ City Market | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 AM – Grab a tote and wander City Market’s historic, year-round farmers market, rain or shine. It is covered and walkable, brimming with produce, flowers, plants, and local treats, so wear comfy shoes, bring a wagon, then stick around for lunch while your fridge sends a thank-you.
🛍 Market Saturday @ South-Broadland Presbyterian Church | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 AM – Grab your tote and swing by the farmers market for peak‑season berries, crusty bread, and the kind of produce that makes store tomatoes blush. Chat up growers, sample small-batch goodies, and pretend you only came for lettuce. Real food, real neighbors, zero pretense.
🧘 Soul Yoga Fest @ Uzazi Village | Sunday (8/9) at 10:00 AM – Fifth annual Soul Yoga Fest pops up at Uzazi Village in midtown, serving feel-good flows, community energy, and KC charm. Mats unroll, breaths lengthen, and your creaky joints might admit you still got it, which counts as both wellness and catching up with neighbors.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Kansas City report Weather forecastToday — High: 93°F — Low: 73°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 97. South southeast wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 88°F — Low: 69°F — Precip: 50%
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7am and 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 80%. This house is wildThis exceptional reverse 1.5-story in premier Kansas City pairs luxury with serious entertaining energy. The chef’s kitchen shines with handcrafted cabinets, a Viking range, Sub-Zero fridge, and coffee nook, while the dining bar brings hammered copper and style. Outside, nearly half an acre unfolds with a heated pool, koi pond, fire pit, and layered deck spaces.
Take a peek inside → |
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